n't, I wanted
you to know, Mr. Leigh, that I 'd given Felicity up. Never mind
why,--that's my affair,--but it's right for every one concerned. I 'll
not be the dog in the manger any longer. You were intended for her,
and she for you. I knew it long ago, though I would n't admit it; and
after all this trouble is over, you 'll be happy together"--His voice
died away, and having taken a step aside to bring Felicity within range
of his vision, he stood looking from one to the other with an
expression which prophesied the spiritual aloofness he might one day
attain.

"Felicity," he said, "you 'll not have reason to fear me any more. It
's clear sailing for us both now. And don't reproach yourself. The
account is more than square. You 've not been as much to blame as I
have,--be sure of that."

It seemed, however, to be more with Leigh than with Felicity that he
was concerned at the last, and he shook hands with him lingeringly, as
if he would show that under happier circumstances, had a woman not come
between them, they would have been the friends they were meant to be.
The astronomer felt this, as if the message had been spoken, and
followed his visitor to the door with scarcely articulate words of
appreciation. But Emmet, having accomplished his purpose, was anxious
to be gone, and making his exit with unceremonious haste, he ran
rapidly down the stairs.

He had not reached the northern end of the Hall before two other
figures emerged from the blackness of the archway into the snowy
twilight and turned in the same direction. Felicity had not allowed
herself to remain a moment longer than was necessary, with Leigh, after
her husband's departure; he had returned from seeing his visitor to the
door to find her cloaked and ready. He appreciated the situation too
well to attempt to detain her, or even to comment upon Emmet's
extraordinary change of front and her impending freedom. He knew that
she too, like himself, was crushed by her husband's magnanimity, and
that all mention of love between them was an impossibility for the
time. While their love seemed hopeless, he had kissed her in wild
revolt and farewell, but now he found it possible to wait. He
experienced a curious joy in a realisation of the fact that she fell
short of the perfection he had once assumed in her. From her faults he
took heart of grace, and was saved from being over-powered by her
beauty.

As he looked at Emmet's sturdy figure plung